The Crimson Fist

Before he could save others, he had to save himself. He is The Crimson Fist, and his work on the streets of Atlanta, GA attests to the power of the Real Life Superhero movement to help not only the public-at-large, but those who take on the cape and cowl as well.

A history of substance abuse issues ultimately led this affable, sharp hero to look within for answers as to how to move forward from a place of personal despair. “I led a bad life and treated people rather poorly, and thought I should make up for that. I realized that there were better things I could be doing with what I had. It seemed quite natural, really.”

Natural for someone who sparked to the pantheon of such Silver Age comic book legends as the Flash, Green Lantern and the Justice League of America.
“When it comes to what inspired all of us to don the mask and tights, I can say with fair certainty that we were all inspired by comics in some fashion. I came up with my name from a 1990 comic that I wrote. I knew how I wanted to look and what I wanted to have my uniform look like, but I don’t have super powers, and thus find myself more attracted to heroes who either have no powers, or have them rooted closer to reality.”

The Crimson Fist’s reality is centered around outreach to the ever-growing population living on the streets of his hometown, though it wasn’t always that way. “Originally started out wanting to be the Batman type of superhero, I went out at night trying to find criminals to beat up and make the city a safer place, but it was unrealistic. I was dark and serious, and I eventually (and thankfully), grew out that phase.”

Standing just 5”6’ in his simple, but striking gear, The Crimson Fist is still perfectly capable of making a strong impression. The night of his inaugural patrol, he came upon two men violently attacking another man in a dark alley. Without giving a second thought to the mathematical realities of the situation, he purposefully strode toward the perpetrators. The two men stopped, and apparently “freaked-out” at the sudden appearance of this white-and-red clad, mask-wearing man taking an aggressive stance toward them, instantly turned tail and ran. The victim in all this, once realizing that his attackers had fled, took one look at his would-be savior—and ran like hell in the opposite direction.

Today, his activities are of a more low-key, but nonetheless powerful nature. “Generally when I go out on patrols I pack up a backpack with different supplies—in the summer I hand out bottled water, in the colder months, I give them clean shirts and socks and things like that.” But his brand of
community altruism comes at a cost. “I don’t do it nearly as much as I’d like, for purely financial reasons. But I try to set aside some money every month to try and go out and do things.”

Being of service to others has had an abiding, restorative effect on The Crimson Fist, and he makes no secret of it. “I think for the most part, it makes me feel good to do it, as selfish as it sounds. The biggest motivation is just helping people, it’s enjoyable to me,” he says. “And if it means a little sacrifice, I’m OK with that. Because if I didn’t do it, I wouldn’t feel whole.”

I think he looks quite nice, but I think that he should give the homless some healthy food instead of candy. That’s my opinion. Candy can make some one happy but if I were to be homeless, I’d love to have apples, carrots, or even some salt free mixed nuts with bottled water. You can get that cheap if you know were to get it.

Unknown: I actually very rarely hand out candy. The closest I get is the occaisional granola bar or cereal bar. However, I try to pass out things with a bit more nutritional value whenever possible. Sadly, we have laws here in Georgia about handing out prepared or unpackaged foods, so I have to be careful about what I pass out in order to stay on the right side of the law.

Crimson: I think what you do is good. Question : As a kid did you have a favorite comic book hero? I like Wonder Woman. But now they have changed her out-fit. She now has black pants. I’m glad they kept her crown.

I would be more than honored to finally meet you and do a team up at Dragon Con, as part of my concert there, while learning to assist you on your little mission with the less fortunate humans and keeping my concert safe from the evil triphobe, Reverend Fred Phelps!

Unknown: Growing up, and to this day, my favorite comic book heroes are Captain America and Daredevil. If you look closely, you’ll even see elements in my costume that I based off of theirs.

Minuteman: If I’m out on a standard hand-out patrol, I almost always wear my red converse Hi-Tops (they’re the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned). However, I also have a pair of tactical boots that I wear during more intense patrols or disaster clean-up scenarios.

DangerWoman: If I make it to Dragoncon this year, you will definitely be seeing me!

Still, I like the poster a lot. The “traffic lines” on the bottom of the poster help guide the eyes towards your emblem. The lines on your costume are tilted just perfectly to guide them to your fist. The colors in the background behind you compliment your costume without drawing attention away from you.

I the story about your “inaugural patrol” interesting. I wonder why the assault victim ran from you?

Anyway, loving the poster, dude. It has the best color scheme out of all of them.

Blue Blaze: I didn’t pick the tag line regarding beating swords into plowshares, but I know the meaning so I’ll gladly share. It’s actually a quote from the bible (Isaiah, I think) that has to do with turning weapons into agricultural equipment. Basically it means that you get more good use out of a tool made to help people than a tool made to hurt people.

As for the patrol story, I feel it should be clarified that this wasn’t my ‘inaugural patrol’ (not sure where that bit of information in the write-up came from). It was one of my first after I got my first uniform, but I had been patrolling for 2 years prior to the incident in question. I can’t say with any certainty why the victim chose to run. I assume it had something to do with my suit at the time (which had a full black cowl and such). Honestly, I probably would have run too if some guy in a black mask had come barreling down an alley towards me. Not to say that I was imposing by any means, but I’m sure I looked a good deal crazy (which helped in getting the attackers away, thankfully)

Nyx: Back at you. Hopefully we can all get together again in the very near future.

DJ: Thanks! Your comic is actually one of the first things that inspired me to make the leap from “community patroller” to “community patroller dressed as a superhero”. I wear the ring to always remind myself of why I do this.

[...] I had a huge grin on my face the entire day that I couldn’t wipe off. I decided to comment on his character page at RealLifeSuperheroes.com giving him kudos for wearing the ring… he responded: DJ: Thanks! Your comic is actually one [...]

crimson, I would be honored if you came to TN and we did a team up sometime. I know your a busy man, but there happens to be an area that has some crime at night that we could take care of, violence as a last resort, if at all, of course.

Shadow: I rarely fight crime these days (much more focused on humanitarian ventures), but I might be able to help you in some way. What area of Tennessee are you based in? Feel free to shoot me an email at heroatl@gmail.com

i just found out about this project and i think all of you heroes are doing a great job by helping out in your communities, itÂ´s something we all can learn from, and even without a costum, try to be more giving and caring towards others near us.
keep up this great job and god bless you!

This project has just been published in the UK national news at the Telegraph Newspaper
I hope all of you heroes are not only proud of your personal achievements but also of the awareness you create for the plight of others.

I am not sure if such an initiative will ever truly manifest itself in England as chaps in tights are
Ikely to attract the wrong sort of attention. however, I am sure that your stories will inspire many people worldwide to do something, however small, to help others.

GonzoDog: There are actual numerous heroes on your side of the pond. Maybe some of them will be kind enough to drop a comment here for you if they read this page some time. Thanks for the tip about the Telegraph!

Mark: Thank you, but congratulations really aren’t needed. I will graciously accept the compliment without question, though

[...] who need them.There is Nyx, who focuses her efforts on aiding the homeless in New Jersey.There is The Crimson FistÂ who tends to addicts in Atlanta.And there is Life, my personal favorite, who hands out essential [...]

I would like to say you are quite great Crimson Fist. I would also like to say once i think I am ready I would like to help you out one day. I just found this site and I have to say I my have found a calling. I never really found anything i liked so much until i found this. I live in the lilburn area and i would be more than happy to make it to an area and help you with what you are doing that day. well I hope you will welcome me and I will try to stay in contact with all of you.

oh and also iv read your comments to the other people commenting and i want to thankyou for your kindness and attention to the new wave of rlsh such as myself you are a true hero man and thanks for the support

I just want to say that this is an amazing program. I had heard something like this existed but didn’t really know for sure. Then I saw a tv show that publicized the actions of real life superheroes. Its amazing what ya’ll do. I wish to do something close to this one day, but for now Im out of costume and making a difference here. Who knows what life holds…

Hey CF I have my own team of heros a three man team and we stop drug deals around our neighborhood and guess what we live in Georgia and not so far from Atlanta so a team up would sound cool don’t u think

I actually have a question CF. How old were you when you started this because I actually just started a hero nightlife and have done a couple things on the street and I am fifteen. Do you think that I am a little bit to young and should hold off the mask for maybe a year or so?

How do i join your site, I wanna become a super hero like you guys. I can fight and help people. When me and my friend started a fake fight, we saw this man before we started fighting. He just watched us for an hour, then walked slowly toward us. He took my friend so I chased him. in 8 seconds I punched him and he threw me at the garbage can. We started fighting. I used my hidden knife under my shoe. Then threw it at his back. I took my friend with me and we ran. He was chasing us, so I took my friends phone and called 911.

[...] easy road that led to his crime fighting campaign. He says it was a history of substance abuse that motivated him to look inward for answers and the strength to move forward. “I led a bad life and treated people rather [...]